Hi, I’m a 19-year-old female who had a really tough time in underfunded public schools growing up. Since I was 12, I’ve been passionate about alternative teaching methods and dreamt of opening the best school someday. But due to financial struggles, I chose a safer career path in finance. This summer, while volunteering with public school kids, I often find myself emotional because these wonderful kids deserve so much better. The schools are underfunded and overcrowded, and I feel helpless. Everyone advises me to pursue a career in education, but I’m afraid it will just remind me daily of the system’s flaws, and I won’t be able to make a significant impact. I just needed to vent, but any advice would be really appreciated.
If you don’t think you can make a significant impact within the system, it might not be the right path for you.
rednah said:
If you don’t think you can make a significant impact within the system, it might not be the right path for you.
Sometimes we want to change the world at 19, but it’s rare to see that happen. This is solid advice.
Teaching has its highs and lows. You might change lives or feel like nothing’s improving. Think about whether you can handle this before you commit to teaching as a career. Continue volunteering and see how your views evolve. Consider different roles that impact the community, like law, sociology, or psychology.
Consider teaching at a school that aligns with your educational philosophy, like Montessori or Waldorf. These schools often struggle to find committed teachers, which could improve your chances of getting hired.
@EducationExpert4
I’d love to, but I’m not in a developed country. The few private alternative schools here are expensive, which doesn’t align with my goal of helping less privileged kids. Thanks for the suggestion, though!
@Linah
You could consider relocating if it’s a strong passion. While these educational philosophies are rare in public schools in the U.S. due to laws, they do exist to some extent and could use someone passionate like you!
I moved around a lot and struggled in school until a dedicated teacher helped me catch up after school. That teacher changed my life by showing she cared, despite the challenging conditions.
Teaching is only recommendable if you’re in an environment conducive to learning, which is rare. If you’re financially secure, consider private schools where students are more engaged.
WisdomQuester said:
Teaching is only recommendable if you’re in an environment conducive to learning, which is rare. If you’re financially secure, consider private schools where students are more engaged.
I had a former student tell me our public middle school teachers were better than those at his expensive prep school. You don’t always need a fancy school to find great teachers.
WisdomQuester said:
Teaching is only recommendable if you’re in an environment conducive to learning, which is rare. If you’re financially secure, consider private schools where students are more engaged.
I can’t speak for all, but my experience shows that private schools aren’t the only places where quality education happens. Check the performance stats of public schools in the western world; they’re not as bleak as you think.
WisdomQuester said:
Teaching is only recommendable if you’re in an environment conducive to learning, which is rare. If you’re financially secure, consider private schools where students are more engaged.
Private schools might not offer a better education. They tend to be elitist and provide a narrow worldview, lacking the diversity of real-life social interactions.
@Andrian
True, private schools vary widely. However, if you’re trained to teach, you should be able to focus on teaching, not handling constant behavioral issues.
WisdomQuester said:
Teaching is only recommendable if you’re in an environment conducive to learning, which is rare. If you’re financially secure, consider private schools where students are more engaged.
My passion for teaching comes from wanting to help underprivileged students, who often don’t get the same support as those in private schools. I wish I could make a difference without the heartache of seeing the struggles in public schools.
Teaching is rewarding if you’re truly passionate. The joy of seeing kids achieve their goals can outweigh the occasional stress.
Theodore said:
Teaching is rewarding if you’re truly passionate. The joy of seeing kids achieve their goals can outweigh the occasional stress.
My passion makes it hard to work in underfunded schools without feeling overwhelmed by the injustice the kids face.
@Linah
It’s not all doom and gloom. I’ve worked with impoverished kids who were some of the most rewarding students. They need more than pity; they need to be pushed to exceed their circumstances and to feel loved.
Teaching can be tough and might not be financially rewarding. Consider if you’re ready to face these challenges.
Thanks for the insights. I love working with kids and hope to maybe start a nonprofit for education after becoming financially stable, which could allow me more freedom to implement effective educational methods.
It sounds like you might want to make a bigger impact than one teacher can. Maybe stay in finance, build your resources, and later use that to make your dream school a reality.